By Augustine Oduor
Teachers Service Commission has mourned the death of Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) boss and said Kenyans have lost a defender of teachers’ rights.
Commission Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni said David Okuta Osiany would be remembered for his firm push for teachers’ welfare. He said he will personally remember Okuta for his honesty and truthfulness. “As the teachers employer we can truly confirm that this man championed teachers’ rights zealously,” he said.
Education success
Education PS George Godia said under Okuta, the ministry worked closely with the union even when they differed on other issues. “Okuta was the face of Knut,” he said.
As the boss of the biggest teachers union, Okuta saw the Government abolish employment of teachers on contract.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association and the Kenya Primary School Heads Association also sent their condolences to Okuta’s family and friends.
Meanwhile, Okuta’s family has started making arrangements for his burial.
Agnes Awino, Okuta’s first born, said the family was meeting last evening at the deceased’s Tura village, Kisumu County, to make burial plans.
“The family and friends will today (yesterday) meet to form a committee that will decide on various issues, among them the burial date,” said Mrs Awino. And as proof of the deceased’s inculcation of success in education, Awino’s six siblings are all university graduates.
-Additional reporting by Mangoa Mosota and Dennis Onyango
